Places in the Bible · Settlement

Ai

Ai is a settlement mentioned in 32 verses. Its most likely location is Et Tell. The name means “or Hai, mass; heap.”

Where is Ai?

Approx. 31.9169, 35.2611 · OpenStreetMap · Google Maps

Possible modern locations

IdentificationTypeConfidence
Et TellsettlementHigh
Khirbet el MaqatirsettlementLow
Khirbet NisiehsettlementLow
Khirbet HaiyansettlementLow
Khirbet Ibn BaraqsettlementLow

Ai in the Bible dictionary

One of the royal cities of the Canaanites (Josh. 10:1; Gen. 12:8; 13:3). It was the scene of Joshua’s defeat, and afterwards of his victory. It was the second Canaanite city taken by Israel (Josh. 7:2-5; 8:1-29). It lay rebuilt and inhibited by the Benjamites (Ezra 2:28; Neh. 7:32; 11:31). It lay to the east of Bethel, “beside Beth-aven.” The spot which is most probably the site of this ancient city is Haiyan, 2 miles east from Bethel. It lay up the Wady Suweinit, a steep, rugged valley, extending from the Jordan valley to Bethel.

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897), public domain. Full dictionary entry →

Verses that mention Ai

  • Genesis 12:8

    And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth–el, and pitched his tent, having Beth–el on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord.

  • Genesis 13:3

    And he went on his journeys from the south even to Beth–el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Beth–el and Hai;

  • Joshua 7:2

    And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth–aven, on the east side of Beth–el, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.

  • Joshua 7:3

    And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few.

  • Joshua 7:4

    So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.

  • Joshua 7:5

    And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

  • Joshua 8:1

    And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:

  • Joshua 8:2

    And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it.

  • Joshua 8:3

    So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by night.

  • Joshua 8:5

    And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them,

All 32 references

Events at Ai